The standard and top rate of income tax would have to be substantially increased to pay for public sector pay awards

Ireland's economic management is caught in a trap, exposed to a fiscal paradox that is barely visible. Despite heavy debt, the Government can borrow freely at low interest rates - lower than they were when the public finances were far healthier - courtesy of the easy money policy pursued by central banks.

Ireland's economic management is caught in a trap, exposed to a fiscal paradox that is barely visible. Despite heavy debt, the Government can borrow freely at low interest rates - lower than they were when the public finances were far healthier - courtesy of the easy money policy pursued by central banks.

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Public sector pay deals will lead to fresh fiscal disaster

Independent.ie

Ireland's economic management is caught in a trap, exposed to a fiscal paradox that is barely visible. Despite heavy debt, the Government can borrow freely at low interest rates - lower than they were when the public finances were far healthier - courtesy of the easy money policy pursued by central banks.

In normal circumstances a heavily indebted country would face much higher interest costs on reborrowing, as it must do every year as old debts mature and fall due for repayment, and on fresh borrowing. But the European Central Bank (ECB) has been buying government bonds at a spanking pace, keeping interest rates artificially low.

Cheap borrowing costs have flattered the Irish Budget numbers for each of the past four years. This will end, possibly as early as 2017, when things get back to normal - the declared aim of the ECB's policy.

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